Richard Lynn Jones, “Lynn,” passed away 1 March 2024 at Legacy Retirement Center in South Jordan, Utah. His body finally succumbed—although his spirit was, and is, anything but finished.
Lynn was born at home in Montpelier, ID, 29 June 1930, son of Vola Theresa Miner Jones and Delbert Arthur Jones. He was expected to survive hours if not minutes. Ninety-three-plus years later, we bid him the fondest farewell till we meet again.
Lynn was a rural boy at heart—fun-loving, spontaneous, adventurous—who never stopped dreaming of his beloved Montpelier and Bear Lake. He had a happy childhood with older brother Arthur (Darlene) and younger siblings Eugene (Sandy), CJ (Bonnie), Gayle (Boyd) Murdock, and Odetta (Layne) Wilcox. Surprisingly perhaps, he survived all his brothers, sister-in-law Darlene and brother-in-law Boyd. He was a devoted son and brother.
He was also a wonderful, honorable husband to Catherine Gray Jones, whom he married 11 August 1958 in the Salt Lake Temple. He adopted Catherine’s two children from a previous marriage, Cathy Lynn (Michael) Gettings and Craig David Jones. Lynn and Catherine were also parents of Shauna Ruth (Regan) Miles, Keith Richard (Kathy) Jones, Steven Mark Jones (stillborn), Russell Ernest (Tracie) Jones, Eric Lynn (Leia-Britt) Jones, and Gary Jacob (Brittany) Jones. Lynn and Catherine enjoyed 65 loving years together. He precedes all but Shauna and 3 great-grandchildren in death, and he leaves behind 25 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren, and three great-great granddaughters.
Lynn served in the Brazil Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1951 – 53). Before marrying, Lynn told Catherine, “I’m going to take my wife on a honeymoon to Brazil.” “Have fun,” Catherine said, excluding herself. Much later in life, Lynn and Catherine loved going to Brazil among many other places. Lynn and Catherine served a mission in Nebraska (1997 – 99) and volunteered many years at the VA hospital in Salt Lake City. Making friends was Lynn’s passion.
After graduating from Montpelier High School and Ricks College, and attending the University of Utah, Utah State, Weber State, and BYU, Lynn raised his family in Salt Lake City. He began his career operating R.L. Jones’s Home for Men—a rest home that was his greatest work passion. Later, he worked 17 years at Eimco as well as for the Church of Jesus Christ.
Lynn’s faith in Jesus Christ inspired all who knew and loved him. He exemplified the Sermon on the Mount—a friend to the friendless, a man of lowly means who acceded to greatness through humility, faith, hope, and charity.
Lynn, those of us you’ve left behind cannot wait to meet you again soon! We are eternally in gratitude.
Lynn’s family wishes to thank nurse Kelli, assistant Lisa, and others with Aspire Hospice for their second-to-none service and kindness.
Funeral service will be Saturday, 9 March, at 1:00 pm with a viewing from 11:00 am to 12:45 pm, at the Bennion 12th Ward, 6550 S 2700 W, Taylorsville, UT. Internment will follow at the Memorial Estates Mountain View Cemetery, 3115 Bengal Blvd, Cottonwood Heights, UT. Service on Zoom.